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Lot Essay
It was a common practice of the potters at the Ding kilns in Hebei province to fire their bowls and dishes upside down in order to prevent warping of the thin walls. This method necessitated that the rims be wiped clean of glaze to avoid adhesion to the kiln structure. After firing, the unglazed rims were then banded with gold, silver or copper. Not only did these bands conceal the unglazed rims, they also aided in the prevention of chipping of these expensive and luxurious wares.
A Dingyao bowl of slightly different form, but similarly carved with lotus sprays on the exterior, is illustrated by M. Tregear, Song Ceramics, New York, 1982, p. 57, no. 35. Compare, also, the similar bowl illustrated in Zhongguo taoci daxi, Song Yuan taoci daquan, Taipei, 1988, p. 145, and another comparable example from the Falk Collection, sold in these rooms, 20 September 2001, lot 54.
A Dingyao bowl of slightly different form, but similarly carved with lotus sprays on the exterior, is illustrated by M. Tregear, Song Ceramics, New York, 1982, p. 57, no. 35. Compare, also, the similar bowl illustrated in Zhongguo taoci daxi, Song Yuan taoci daquan, Taipei, 1988, p. 145, and another comparable example from the Falk Collection, sold in these rooms, 20 September 2001, lot 54.